Leo “Bud” Welch

I Don’t Prefer No Blues

Big Legal Mess Records

Leo “Bud” Welch waited until he was 81 to release his debut record, the great Sabougla Voices in 2014, but he’s on a roll now with his new release I Don’t Prefer No Blues. Starting off with “Poor Boy”, featuring Sharde Thomas, it’s a look back at his gospel roots, but from there the rest of the 10 cuts are pure, gut-bucket Hill Country blues, ala R.L. Burnside or Junior Kimbrough, from “Girl in the Holler” to the extremely live, extremely funky take on “Goin’ Down Slow”.

Produced by Fat Possum founder Bruce Watson, the record is true to its roots, and sounds like it was recorded in some backroad juke joint, and the picture of Welch performing- on his bright red guitar, festooned with his name ala Stevie Ray Vaughn and a headset mic, makes you wanna hit the highway until you get to Mississippi where you can grab a beer, some ribs and dance to cuts like “Too Much Wine” or the Los Lobo’s flavored “I Woke Up” till the sun comes up.

At 83, Leo “Bud” Welch shows no signs of stopping, and his driving, elemental blues keeps the genre alive and kickin’…and gives the rest of us hope for the future. Because if Leo can create such great art at his advanced age…what the hell is stoppin’ the rest of us? Boogie on Bud. We’re right behind ya.

As part of a pseudo-after-party for Gainesville, Florida’s punk rock weekend (The Fest), Polar Bear Club attempts to make new punk sound classic. Jen Cray is entertained, though not entirely convinced.